Rachael Claire Slack and 2 others · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 10th June 2010 I commenced an investigation into the deaths of Rachael Claire Slack, Aged 38, Auden George Slack, Aged 22 months and Andrew David Cairns, Aged 44. The investigations concluded at the end of the inquest on 22nd October 2013. The conclusions of the Jury were as follows :

Rachael Claire Slack

1(a) Multiple Stab Wounds

Conclusion of the Jury : Unlawfully killed – in part her death was more than minimally contributed to by a failure to impress upon her that she was at high risk of serious injury or homicide from her ex-partner.

Auden George Slack

1(a) Multiple Stab Wounds

Conclusion of the Jury : Unlawfully killed – in part his death was more than minimally contributed to by a failure to impress upon his mother that he was assessed as high risk of serious injury or homicide by his father and by a failure to discuss with his mother adequate steps that could be taken to address the risks to him.

Andrew David Cairns

1(a) Multiple Stab Wounds

Conclusion of the Jury : Andrew Cairns took his own life

1. Andrew Cairns was the ex-partner of Rachael Slack and the father of their two-year-old son, Auden Slack.

2. Mr Cairns had been known to Mental Health Services for a number of years and had been assessed under the Mental Health Act on a number of occasions and also had voluntary hospital admissions for a depressive illness.

3. Prior to the deaths of Andrew Cairns, Rachael Slack and Auden Slack, Mental Health Services were reconsidering the diagnosis to be one of a potential personality disorder.

4. Miss Slack had been estranged from Andrew for 18 months and was in a new relationship with a new partner and was carrying her new partner’s child.

5. On the 26th of May during an access visit to Auden, Mr Cairns refused to get out of Rachael’s car. She drove to a Police Station. Mr Cairns was assessed by the Police and detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act. He was assessed by the Mental Health Team, who deemed there was no major mental illness and was released from the section.

6. On the 27th of May 2010, Mr Cairns made threats to kill Rachael; this was reported to the Police. Rachael and Auden were assessed by the Police as being at high risk of homicide by Mr Cairns. Mr Cairns was arrested. He was questioned by the Police on the 28th of May 2010 and released on Police bail.

7. The Jury at the Inquest heard evidence that Mr Cairns had breached his Police bail on at least two occasions by approaching Rachael’s house, Rachael was unaware of this however her neighbours were aware of the approach but were unaware of any bail conditions on Mr Cairns. He had also contacted her by telephone and text.

8. On the 2nd of June 2010 Mr Cairns went to Rachael’s house, gained entry and he first stabbed Auden, their two-year-old son to death then turning his attack on Rachael he stabbed Rachael to death and then stabbed himself to death.

1. At the time of arrest of Mr Cairns, the Police were aware of his assessment under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act the previous day. The Custody Nurse had contacted the Crisis Team to obtain information regarding the 136 assessment which was duly given by the Mental Health Team. However, there was no reciprocal exchange of information and the Mental Health Team were not informed that Mr Cairns had been arrested with regards to Threats to Kill his partner.

2. At the conclusion of the Inquest and after all the evidence was heard, it came to light that there was in existence a policy for mutual sharing of information between the Police and Mental Health Services if each respective organisation requested information from the other.

3. This document was not disclosed prior to the Inquest or during the Inquest itself and it would have been critical to ask witnesses from the Police and Mental Health Services about their knowledge of this document.